Pulaski Co. CDC gives summary of 2011 projects

The Pulaski County CDC 2011 projects and activities were as follows:

Direct Involvement: Activities in which the CDC board and director were involved as originator and executor. Results and outcomes solely the result of CDC action with or without subcontractors.

Implemented changes to the County Revolving Loan Fund guidelines to encourage entrepreneurial development. The new guidelines now permit loans for $2000-$4,999 (micro), $5,000-$9,999 (mini), or more than $10,000. The primary function of the Pulaski County Revolving Loan Fund is to provide short-term financing to establish or to expand eligible businesses; legitimate uses of the loan include real-estate acquisition or improvements, energy conservation, and on-site infrastructure, with job-creation goals tied to larger loans and quality-of-life or “filling-in-the-gaps” goals tied to smaller loans. The changes were developed by the director and board members from the banking and small-business sectors, and then approved by the County Board of Commissioners.
Hosted two Economic Development Summits as part of the implementation of the Pulaski County: Mapping a Path Forward strategic plan. The first, in Francesville, focused on alternative-energy–development potential on the west side of the county and the proposed Pulaski County Center for Agriculture/Renewable Energy, or “PC-CARE.” The second, “Branding Your Business,” held in Winamac, featured a professional marketing-and-branding consultant and offered insight to business owners on how to present themselves in the best way possible to keep current and to gain new clients.
Hosted Steve Buchtel, of Active Transportation Alliance, to discuss Complete Streets; pursued leads for implementation of a Complete Streets plan, pending continued cooperation with the Town of Winamac and funding availability.
Manned booths at the Pulaski County Fair and Francesville Fall Festival, providing an official county presence at these events and conducting public outreach.
Secured County improvements to C.R. 600 S. to improve safety near Remington Seeds in conjunction with an expansion project; received County Commissioners’ approval to solicit Pulaski County Highway Department’s assistance in addressing the CR 150 S./CR 50 E./US-35/Galbreath-entrance intersection, where pedestrians and bicyclists on the Panhandle Pathway will be crossing once the trail is extended into Winamac.
Hosted Small Business Administration representative’s business start-up seminar.

Collaborative Involvements: Efforts undertaken by the CDC with partner agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Provided financial and programming support to PACE/Purdue Extension welder-training course. In 2011, approximately 40 students completed the beginner-level course; to date, nearly 300 students have participated in the entry-level or advanced class, or both. The classes serve as a “feeder” for more advanced programs (e.g. the certification program at Ivy Tech – Logansport) and for local manufacturers, who often hire students as laborers and may provide more advanced on-the-job welder training.
Assisted two Francesville-area companies and one Winamac manufacturer in obtaining property-tax abatements on reinvestments totaling more than $70 Million. The former two projects have begun, with new hiring already having taken place; the expansion project in Winamac is pending. Altogether, the three projects are expected to add at least 42 full-time jobs to the county, as well as some part-time positions.
Successfully guided a Winamac company through the revolving-loan process, securing a $100,000 loan, preventing the county from losing a key service, and saving five jobs. Loan decisions are made by a five-person committee featuring the CDC director, two local bankers, a county commissioner, and a county councilor.
Participated in five-county Rural and Rustic Tourism Group, contributing to two new tourism brochures for the region.
Coordinated the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 holiday-season shop-locally advertising/discount campaign.
Director served on Chamber of Commerce board of directors and as vice-president of the Winamac Industrial Park board.
Assisted Greenspace Winamac/Arrow Head Country Resource Conservation and Development in successfully applying for Pulaski County Community Foundation grant to develop a pocket park in Winamac
Provided support to Pulaski County Recycling for long-term planning and hiring.
Provided continued support to Pulaski County Plan Commission to fund the printing of land-use maps.
Serving on Winamac Safe Routes to School Taskforce. An outgrowth of the Friends of the Panhandle Pathway/Panhandle Pathway project, this team is working with professional planners to develop and to implement plans that will make safe and encourage walking and bicycling to school; many of the safe routes will stem directly from the Panhandle Pathway through town toward the school campus.
Co-sponsored Adult-/Alternative-student college fair at Pulaski County Public Library, Winamac. This fair brought together eight Indiana colleges and universities that offer two-year and four-year degree, gradudate-degree, certification, and online programs directed toward non-traditional students who often must juggle full-time careers and coursework.
Continuing to work with Ivy Tech – Logansport to secure a location in Winamac at which the college can provide satellite-site classes to improve its outreach and better to accommodate the many Pulaski County residents interested in enrolling at Ivy Tech.

Support. Activities involving often intangible effort to help another achieve an end.

Provided financial assistance (from CDC Donation Fund) to the Indian Trails Career Cooperative’s Wider Opportunities for Women workshop. This one day workshop brings together high school students with representatives from industry and business that may not be seen as “traditional” for young women. Presenters included fire fighter, carpenter, aviation instructor and commercial airline pilot.
Supported county tourism effort through advertising support: Power from the Past; Medaryville Potato Fest; Monterey Days; Star City Day; various Chamber activities; Francesville Fall Festival.